Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney said on Monday that he had no regrets about the deterioration of his relationship with the club's legendary former manager Alex Ferguson.
Rooney was dropped towards the end of Ferguson’s 27-year Old Trafford tenure in 2013, with the Scot subsequently explaining that the former Everton striker had asked to leave the club for a second time.
But Rooney, appointed United captain by Louis van Gaal last year, said that he continues to hold Ferguson, now a United director, in the highest esteem.
“I don’t know if anyone knows how things ended,” Rooney said when asked about his relationship with Ferguson on the eve of England’s Euro 2016 qualifier, at home to Switzerland on Tuesday.
“I still see Sir Alex quite a bit at games, and he travels away to European games with us. We had differences. That’s normal.
He cited Roy Hodgson, England’s manager: “He’s had differences with other players,” Rooney said. “That’s part of football.
“I’m not the only person who had differences with Sir Alex Ferguson, but I can still sit here and say he was the greatest manager of all time.
“It’s not that we don’t like each other. We just had differences. That’s normal.”
Rooney equalled Bobby Charlton’s England scoring record by netting his 49th international goal in a 6-0 win away to San Marino on Saturday and will be hoping to claim the record outright against the Swiss.
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Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
